Canberra, July 6 (ANI): In the wake of the new powers that would allow the Australian police to force Muslim women to remove head coverings during security checks, many have raised concerns that the decision was part of a renewed push to ban the Islamic garb.
In Lakemba, where the face-covering veil is commonplace, most Muslim women were willing to cautiously accept the law as long as it wasn't misused.
"Absolutely I'm worried, I'm worried I won't be able to wear my niqab," the Daily Telegraph quoted a woman, as saying.
Most women are, however willing to abide by the tough, new law that threatens fines of 5500 dollars or a year in jail for refusing to lift their veil during routine traffic stops, if suspected of committing a crime or if they are considered a potential security risk.
Islamic Friendship Association of Australia chairman Keysar Trad said that, while the burqa was not worn by many women in Australia, those who chose to wear it had real concerns about showing their face to any male.
"We understand that if police stop someone and they need to identify them then they should be able to, provided there is a legitimate reason to stop them, but the preference is for a woman to be present," he said.
With the emergence of the new law, most Muslim women have a simple message for the NSW Government that they will show their faces but will not give up wearing their burqas. (ANI)
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